Mayor Gahan Recommends Moratorium on New Apartments, Calls on City Council to take Action

Mayor Gahan Recommends Moratorium on New Apartments, Calls on City Council to take Action

Over the past decade, the City has experienced significant growth, leading to an increase in multi-family housing complexes, apartments, and short-term rentals. In 2023, the city partnered with the Urban Studies Institute at the University of Louisville for a comprehensive housing study. This study confirmed that the City of New Albany should focus its efforts on increasing the availability of owner-occupied single-family homes, while disincentivizing apartments and short-term rentals.

Based on these results of the study, Mayor Jeff Gahan has recommended that the City Council explore establishing a moratorium on the construction of apartments, as well as halting the issuance of permits for short-term rentals.

“We believe that the American Dream begins with the opportunity to plant roots and purchase a home, and this study confirmed those beliefs,” stated Mayor Jeff Gahan. “Last year, we initiated the GROWTH program to help incentivize single family homes, and now, we are doubling down on our commitment to increasing the availability of homes for people in New Albany by exploring a moratorium on apartments and short-term rentals.”

Mayor Gahan has drafted an ordinance for consideration by the City Council and hopes that they will take it up at their next meeting.

A moratorium on apartments would provide the City with an opportunity to review and update the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Ordinance, specifically addressing the impacts of multi-family housing and short-term rentals on public infrastructure, economic development, and the overall character of the City.

The City Council will now discuss Mayor Gahan’s recommendation at a committee meeting on January 29th at 11:30am at City Hall.